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Clinical and Translational Oncology
Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology 4/2013

01-04-2013 | Educational Series – Blue Series

Dynamic regulation of cancer stem cells and clinical challenges

Authors: Chao Ni, Jian Huang

Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology | Issue 4/2013

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Abstract

A small population of cancer cells referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs) have received particular attention, as they have been revealed to acquire stem cell-like properties and become the main cause of tumor propagation, metastasis and drug resistance. The CSC theory of tumor formation was believed to follow the hierarchical model initially, and therefore many CSC-targeted therapy methods were expected to cure cancer by eradicating CSCs. However, subsequent CSC research has revealed that rather than a distinct entity, the CSC is a dynamic status that can be continually dedifferentiated from progenitor or differentiated cancer cells. Elucidation of this bidirectional transition mechanism would help perfect the CSC theory and be of great value in the development of more effective anti-cancer drugs. Here, we reviewed the mechanisms of reciprocal conversion between non-CSCs and CSCs. Moreover, several approaches of target CSCs and non-CSCs together with unbiased eradication of all cancer cells are also discussed.
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Metadata
Title
Dynamic regulation of cancer stem cells and clinical challenges
Authors
Chao Ni
Jian Huang
Publication date
01-04-2013
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
Clinical and Translational Oncology / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 1699-048X
Electronic ISSN: 1699-3055
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-012-0927-7

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